A Sneak Peak at the Distinguished Milhous Collection

Written by American Car Collector

RM Auctions, in association with Sotheby’s, is proud to be offering one of the world’s finest private museums, the Milhous Collection, during a multi-day sale, February 24 – 25, 2012 in Boca Raton, Florida.

The result of over five decades of judicious collecting by brothers Bob & Paul Milhous, the extraordinary collection features an unparalleled series of mechanical musical instruments, automobiles and collectibles, handpicked from around the world and representing the ‘best of the very best’.

In February, after playing host to countless visitors and charitable events, the museum doors will open one final time as the Milhous brothers offer the collection for auction. The upcoming sale will feature over 550 lots, presenting a diverse range of ownership opportunities for discerning collectors.

“The Milhous Collection is one of the finest of its kind anywhere in the world, with a strong emphasis on rarity, authenticity and superior quality,” says Rob Myers, Chairman & Founder, RM Auctions.

“We are honored to have been entrusted with the sale of this important collection and delighted to be working in association with Sotheby’s for what promises to be an unprecedented sale. Never before has such a wonderful assortment of mechanical musical instruments, motor cars and collectibles been offered to the public in one location. Compiled by connoisseurs for connoisseurs, the sale presents an unrepeatable, once-in-a-lifetime ownership opportunity for discriminating collectors.”

For automotive enthusiasts, the upcoming Milhous Collection sale presents a superb gathering of over 30 automobiles, spanning the spectrum of the collector car market from high-horsepower Brass era cars to a superb roster of coachbuilt classics and historically-significant Indianapolis racing cars.

Headlining the offering is a Pebble Beach class winning 1912 Oldsmobile Limited Five-Passenger Touring, chassis number 64626, the only known surviving example from 1912 and featuring one-off coachwork (Est. $1,400,000 – $1,600,000). Other notable highlights from the various different genres include: the ex-Ralph Roberts 1933 Chrysler Custom Imperial Tourist with stunning LeBaron coachwork (Est. $750,000 – $1,000,000);a flawless 1939 Lagonda V-12 Rapide Sports Roadster, delivered new to actor Robert Montgomery (Est. $400,000 – $550,000); and the 1949 Rounds Rocket Race Car, the first mid-engine, rear-drive Indianapolis racing car and featuring superb provenance including an alleged Howard Hughes connection (Est. $250,000 – $350,000). The sale will also feature a Pebble Beach “Best of Show” winning 1934 Packard Super Eight Convertible Victoria by Dietrich, the first car acquired by the Milhous brothers and making its initial trip to the market after over 40 years (Est. $150,000 – $250,000).

Other notable entries include a majestic 1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Convertible Sedan (Est. $900,000 – $1,200,000);a well-documented 1932 Marmon Sixteen Convertible Sedan, just four owners from new (Est. $400,000 – $600,00); and a stunning pair of Fleetwood-designed Cadillac Sixteens (Est. $700,000 – $1,000,000 each), all of which are displayed in a faithful replica of the original Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg showroom within the private Milhous museum.

The sale also features a selection of collectible motorcycles, including a 1949 Indian Scout Motorcycle and a 1972 Harley-Davidson FLH1200 Super Glide Motorcycle (Est. $20,000 – $30,000 each), along with a pair of antique tractors including a 1946 John Deere Model LA Tractor (Est. $5,000 – $10,000).

The highly-anticipated Milhous Collection auction will be held during the same weekend as the famed Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance, making for an ultimate vintage car weekend for motoring enthusiasts.

A video offering a virtual tour of the collection and select highlights is available here.

For further information and a complete list of auction offerings visit www.rmauctions.com or call +1 519 352 4575.